TOPEKA, Kan. --- Washburn (12-3, 4-2 MIAA) closes out its five-game homestand against Central Oklahoma at 1 pm on Saturday at Lee Arena. Saturday's game will be the 16th all-time meeting. Washburn holds a 9-6 lead in the series, though have struggled against the Bronchos of late falling in four of its last five match-ups, including a 86-83 overtime loss at Lee Arena last season.
FOLLOW THE BODS
Jake Lebahn (play-by-play) and Dan Lucero (analyst) will call the action and can be heard on the MIAA Network and Country 106.9 FM. Links for stats, video and radio can be found at wusports.com/live or the women's basketball schedule page.
GAME PROMOTIONS/INFORMATION
• Saturday will be "White Out at Lee" as fans are encouraged to wear white to the contest.
• The first 1,000 fans through the door will also receive a free t-shirt provided by Topeka Hy-Vee.
• Performing at halftime will be America's Got Talent semifinalist, the Jesse White Tumblers!
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE LATELY?
• The Ichabods are holding MIAA opponents to around 60 points per contest (60.3) and .315 shooting from three-point range.
• After opening the season with .678 shooting from the line through the first seven games, Washburn has raised its free throw percentage to .793 in six MIAA games making 73 of 92 attempts.
• Reagan Phelan is WU's leading scorer in MIAA play, averaging 17.0 points/game, while shooting .442 (34-77) on FGs, .391 (9-23) on 3FG, and .893 (25-28) on FTs.
• Alexis McAfee has made a team-best 14 of 15 free throws (.933) against MIAA opponents and 12 of 13 (.923) in the last five games.
• Axelle Bernard is averaging a team-best 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in MIAA play.
• Washburn is averaging a slim advantage against the MIAA in points in the paint (30.0-24.7) though is edged out in points on turnovers (16.3-15.3) and second-chance points (7.8-6.0).
JUST FIVE MINUTES
• In the last five minutes of MIAA games this season, Washburn is shooting .429 (12-28) on FGs, .400 (6-15) 3FG, and .818 (27-33) on FTs.
• The Ichabods have narrowly outscored opponents, 57-54, and averages 9.5/game.
• Alexis McAfee is 13 of 13 (1.000) from the line and averages a team-high 3.2 points .
GETTING DEFENSIVE
• Washburn is listed fourth in the MIAA in scoring defense (57.8 ppg) and FG% defense (.363), and sixth in 3FG% defense (.285).
• The Ichabods' 8.9 steals a contest is fifth-best in the MIAA.
MILESTONES, RECORDS & OTHER NOTABLES
• Reagan Phelan is 33 points shy of tying Stacy Neal's (1994-96) of 568 for 50th on the Washburn all-time points list.
• Phelan is 22 FGs shy of tying Ebonie Williams' (2011-12) mark of 197 for 50th on the career charts.
• Head coach Ron McHenry is 15 victories shy of surpassing Patty Dick's Washburn win record of 431
THE STARTING FIVE
• The Ichabods have rolled out four different starting lineups this season with the Axelle Bernard, Reagan Phelan, Taylor Blue and Alexis McAfee being the constants in each variation.
• The collective group average just under 50 points/game (49.7) for the season and 45.3 against MIAA opponents.
• Starters are shooting .430 on FGs, .335 on 3FG, .785 on FTs.
• The group also averages 25.0 rebounds as has accounted for 146 of WU's 224 assists.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
• This is the 34th season that Washburn men's and women's basketball have called Lee Arena home, with the Lady Blues/Ichabods owning a 409-91 mark (.818) in the venue.
• The 500th women's game at Lee Arena was played Thursday (1/11/18) vs Northeastern State.
• Under head coach Ron McHenry, Washburn is 215-44 all-time when playing at Lee Arena dating back to the 2000-01 campaign.
• Washburn is 8-2 this season playing at Lee Arena.
• WU ranked sixth in Div. II in attendance last season as it averaged 1,468 fans through 18 games. The Ichabods have been among nation's top drawing teams finishing in the top 10 since the 2000-01 campaign.
• The Ichabods are second in the nation this season in accumulated attendance (15.857) while holding the nation's fourth-best average attendance (1,586).
ABOUT CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
• The Bronchos are 14-2 overall this season and come to Topeka listed third in the MIAA standings at 5-2.
• UCO came into the week with a nine-game win streak, before falling, 61-53, to Emporia State, Wednesday.
• UCO returns eight players from the 2016-17 squad that finished 25-8 and was listed in the WBCA Top 25.
• The Bronchos are among the nation's top 50 in several categories including blocks per games (11th/5.4), FG% defense (10th/34.0), FT% (13th/79.1), rebounds/game (34th/43.4) and three-point defense (15th/25.2).
• Jesheon Cooper (Sr./F) is one of nation's top shot blockers with 47 on the season (7th) and 2.9/game (12th) ... 14th nationally in rebounds (10.8) and 25th in league in scoring (11.1).
• Melinda Murillo (Sr./G) is averaging a team-best 16.3 points/game, listing her fourth among league leaders ... MIAA's third-best in 3PT (40.9).
• Blake Blessington (Jr./G) is third on the team in scoring (10.8) ... shooting 91.8 percent from the line, listed ninth on the Div. II leaderbaord.
• UCO is coached by Guy Hardaker who is in his 12th season with the Bronchos.
WASHBURN TRADITION
The 2017-18 campaign marks the 49th season of Washburn women's basketball. The program is 881-392-1 all-time, has seen 23 seasons with at least 20 wins, and 17 appearances NCAA Division II Tournament appearances with the 2004-05 team crowned as national champions. From Jan. 26, 2005 to Mar. 11, 2006, Washburn won 51 consecutive games. The streak is the longest in NCAA Division II and sixth all-time in NCAA history.
UPCOMING ON THE SCHEDULE
• After the Central Oklahoma match, the Ichabods return to the road for a pair of important showdowns with teams ahead of them in conference rankings.
• At Missouri Southern (Jan. 17, 5:30 pm)
• At Pittsburg State (Jan. 20, 1:30 pm)
• Home vs. Southwest Baptist (Jan. 24, 5:30 pm) -- 90's Night
• Home vs. No. 12/10 Central Missouri (Jan. 27, 1 pm) -- Pink Night
